Koala bachelor charms his female visitors

Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened in 1927, and went on to become one of the city's favourite tourist attractions. It's not difficult to see why: There was a time when visitors were greeted by a koala "riding" the back of a German shepherd dog and male koalas lived in what was adorably named their "bachelors quarters". Gimmicks aside, Lone Pine was recognised as a leader in koala research and conservation. The sanctuary proved especially popular with American servicemen on leave during World War II, and it even made international news when United States First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt paid a visit in September 1943. (State Library of Victoria, Flickr)